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Dell Mini 9, MSI Wind, or Acer Aspire One?
- Thread starter alphaod
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It's not peppy, but it's also not quite as bad as some might think. Just depends on what you want to do with it. Bootup is definitely slow, but I just use hibernate or sleep modes when I can.
When it first came out there were many issues with video, but with Vista Service Pack 1 and improved VIA drivers, many of those issues have been resolved. YouTube, SlingBox - all play back fine. However, try to do something else, and immediately the machine slows down.
If you don't like Vista, there's always XP or Linux. Easier to change the software versus the hardware.
I haven't tried it, but I read where Windows 7 beta runs on it very well, and one user installed a Samsung SSD hard drive and reported excellent Vista performance. When a 128 GB SSD becomes more affordable, and Windows 7 is out of beta next year, this machine should rock. In the meantime, the current configuration is very usable for Internet, email, and Office work.
There's only one netbook I think is passable as not a toy, but a "real" computer. The Lenovo S10. It has a 10.2' screen and a nice tactile keyboard. Only drawback is the small trackpad; I was using my dad's test model and I was too accustomed to my MacBook's bigger trackpad that I touched the spacebar and the keys. The design beats all of the others. Except maybe the HP mini, but Lenovo's stuff is great quality. They make business-class notebooks.
Yeah, I actually know that. That was shorthand for "I wish it was still IBM and that they made a Thinkpad netbook, because that'd be pretty rad."
^ Hitachi drives are not exactly the best HD under the Sun, but it's pretty good and high quality.
Hell it there was a Thinkpad netbook, I'd pick that one immediately!
The HP 2133 looks really nice. However I've never used a VIA processor before. From what I read it's pretty usable... Hopefully they release a version with a Atom processor.
I looked at one today, single 1.6 Ghz Intel Atom Processor, 1 gig of RAM, 120 GB hard drive, ethernet, 3 usb ports, audio in, audio out, a couple of mini ports for cameras/video, traditional VGA out port, Windows XP, a couple of browsers, word pad, MS Office trial, and some other bundled software full versions or trials. $349.00 dollars.
When I saw this it was not bad, but an external super drive would cost $99 dollars from 3rd party maker. I think 2.2 to 2.5 pounds with 9" inch LCD.
Though I use my iBook for word processing/school and mini Mac for internet/e-mail, I would consider another Mac but there's no reason since I don't do games or Adobe/Macromedia suites/digital video.
I think this particular Acer, as opposed to the Eee PC or the semi-compact 4 lb. models, isn't a bad machine for basic internet/e-mail/word processing/solitaire/light games/photoshop elements/MS Office. I so wish it were a Mac, even at $499, but this Acer looks like a real winner all the way around.
So
After returning from Microcenter, I looked at the Acer, the Asus, the MSI, and the HP.
I was thinking I may install OS X on the Wind if I did choose that.
I saw the HP and I couldn't get myself to like the trackpad button placements. Can't really one hand click on that. Acer was nice too. I didn't really like the Asus. So pretty much I settled for the MSI Wind. Plus it was $50 off, so it only came to $300. I got a RAM upgrade, so I think I'm pretty much set.
I'm going to order the Broadcom wireless card and then I'll install OS X.
After returning from Microcenter, I looked at the Acer, the Asus, the MSI, and the HP.
I was thinking I may install OS X on the Wind if I did choose that.
I saw the HP and I couldn't get myself to like the trackpad button placements. Can't really one hand click on that. Acer was nice too. I didn't really like the Asus. So pretty much I settled for the MSI Wind. Plus it was $50 off, so it only came to $300. I got a RAM upgrade, so I think I'm pretty much set.
I'm going to order the Broadcom wireless card and then I'll install OS X.
I'm running OS X on a Dell 9 with 2gb ram and it works beautifully (except sleep, I have insomniaX running). Very quick, never any stalls. Boots just as fast as my 3ghz iMac, if not faster. Completely silent. Bought mine for $279 from the Dell Outlet - I am very happy!
I think I read somewhere that you can get a driver for the card in the amchine now instead of having to buy a new card. Is that right?
Oh well. I already ordered the card. Besides I prefer Broadcom wireless chipsets to the Realtek and Atheros chipsets.
What's that Internet-speak acronym for "supposed to be laughing or something, but that wasn't even close to being funny or clever"?
Congratulations on your MSI Wind. Personally, I would have chosen between the Wind and S10. The rest seem like toys: Asus EEE has a cheap trackpad, HP Mini is overprice, with underpowered CPU and weird trackpad, etc.
Good luck with the Wind, it's a really nice little unit. Working sleep in OS X is great, as is the 1 disk installation process (if you get ahold of the disk.)
I think a 10" screen (plus the keyboard that comes along with it) is really the minimum size to be considered usable. You can touch type on a 10" netbook, would seem hard to do on a 9".
I think a 10" screen (plus the keyboard that comes along with it) is really the minimum size to be considered usable. You can touch type on a 10" netbook, would seem hard to do on a 9".
Excellent choice! I have a wind running os x and other than having to use a USB dongle for audio in/out (the regular ports don't work under os x), I couldn't be happier. I would recommend ordering one of the new 9 cell batteries as the 3 cell won't get more than a couple hours under normal use.
Would have gone for the Dell 9 or the Acer Aspire One myself but hope you enjoy the MSI Wind.
Going to be interesting to see if Apple release a netbook, I cant see it myself but I wouldn't write the possibility of either.
Going to be interesting to see if Apple release a netbook, I cant see it myself but I wouldn't write the possibility of either.
That was my second choice behind the HP. In fact, one day after I received my HP, Lenovo dropped the price of the S10. I might've went with that one if the price was the same as the HP when I ordered it.
The HP and the Lenovo are the only two that have ExpressCard slots. That makes these netbooks a lot more versatile than the others, IMO.
I also like the Samsung NC-10, because it seems to have much better battery life than the others, without compromising on the screen and keyboard.
I had an interest in netbooks, but thought I didn't need really need one because of my MacBook. Now, with the direction Apple is taking with the MacBook line, I decided to protect my laptop as long as possible by taking it out only when I need to, and use the Mini-Note as my throw-around, take practically everywhere machine. And for that role, these things are useful.